Deputy Country Director 116 views0 applications

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Deputy Country Director (DCD) to provide leadership and oversight of the Business Partnerships and Development Unit, as welll as to lead on strengthening Government Relations at Federal and Member States Levels.

The DRC/DDG Somalia Programme is the largest programmes in East Africa region. DRC/DDG is among the INGOs with the largest presence in Somalia, with country-wide programmes implemented through six main sub offices in Somaliland, Puntland, Hirran Region, Gedo Region, Bay Region and Banadir Region.

About the job

The Deputy Country Director will lead on Policy and Advocacy DRC Strategy and will represent DRC at the Somalia NGO Forum. S/he is responsible for identifying advocacy issues, localization agenda issues, preparing and implementing advocacy plans, documentation and communicating lessons and good practices from DRC/DDG programme and raising DRC profile with stakeholders in Somalia and Somaliland.

The post-holder will also work to advance DRC displacement related policies and positions through policy influence, research, capacity building, and development of joint advocacy and campaign initiatives related to forced displacement with relevant stakeholders in Somalia. S/he will also be responsible for the production of background papers, briefing materials, and providing policy analysis to influence and inform displacement actors Somalia and Somaliland. Moreover, S/He will oversee DRC Knowledge Management and Innovation strategies in Somalia and also work with the Country Director and Area Managers to build an enabling learning and development environment across DRC Somalia.

The DCD will act as principal Deputy to the CD, and will have a close working relationship with other members of the Senior Management Team which includes; the DDG Head of Programme, DRC Head of Programme, Head of support services (HoSS), HR Country Manager and the Country Safety Coordinator. The postholder will report to the Country Director and will line Manage DRC Somalia Business Partnerships and Development Unit (BPDU).

Below you will find a detailed list of duties and responsibilities but please note that the list is not exhaustive but other tasks maybe required to adapt to programmatic needs.

Management Responsibilities:

As a Senior Management Team (SMT) member, responsible for Business development, Innovation, Government Relations, Knowledge Management, Policy & Advocacy.

• As DCD provide leadership and Management of the Business Partnerships & Development Unit.
• Develop and Implement DRC Somalia Policy & Advocacy Strategy.
• Has the responsibility for managing and developing staff under her/his supervision and ensuring that the DRC values are incorporated in the leadership and upheld.
• Serves as member of the SMT, including supporting the Country Director (CD) to lead the SMT toward the achievement of common goals, and, at times, serving as the Acting Country Director in the absence of the CD. S/he is designated as Deputy country Director, Somalia.
• Works closely with DRC HoP and DDG HoP to ensure complementarity of action and enhance synergies between the program sectors as appropriate.
• Supports the knowledge management agenda across all Area Offices working closely with Area Managers.
• Responsible for promoting Innovation initiatives within all programmes.
• Line Manager the BPDU working in close collaboration with the CD & BPDU Manager.

Policy & Advocacy Strategy:

To contribute to the development of DRC Somalia Policy & Advocacy Strategy. Tasks include:

• Lead the development and implementation of Policy & Advocacy Strategy.
• Represent DRC in various policy, advocacy and communication related meetings, working groups and consortiums to ensure DRC and DDG key messaging and position is incorporated into joint advocacy initiatives or messaging.
• Monitor and analyze displacement developments in Somalia and Somaliland in close collaboration with Area Managers, Technical Managers, DRC HoP and DDG HoP, to the formulation of relevant advocacy and policy recommendations.
• Support the CD in the development and review of communication materials, including brochures, case studies as well as press releases.

Resource Mobilization:

• Support the CD in fundraising through developing partnerships with Government and other like-minded International Organizations through a Consortia approach.
• Lead in the development of the DRC Somalia fundraising strategy for Somalia.
• Support fundraising from traditional and new donors and especially World Bank, European Union, OFDA/FFP and UN agencies and other sources.

*Representation Coordination and Stakeholder management.**

To ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors. Tasks include:

• With consultation with the CD, represent DRC at relevant and senior forums/ meetings such as donor meetings, fundraising forums, field donor meetings, consortium meetings etc.
• Ensuring the senior staff under S/he supervision are appropriately representing DRC at relevant forums/ meetings,
• Maintaining agreed profile of DRC at country/ programme level,
• Conducting regular stakeholder analyses to ensure that DRC has good understanding of dynamics/ relationships in Somalia,
• Representing DRC Somalia in strategic forums on behalf of the CD and also carryout any other duties when a need arises as requested by the CD.
• Engaging in coordination processes amongst key stakeholders particularly national and regional authorities and donors for Somalia
• Taking lead with specific donors based on gaps identified in the program.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to possess the following:

Required

• A post-graduate degree in relevant social discipline such as international relations, business administration, management, law/human rights, social sciences or related field;
• Demonstrated experience of successfully developing Policy & Advocacy Strategies.
• Minimum 5 years professional work experience in humanitarian/ recovery/development work including in a displacement setting
• Technical expertise and experience in livelihoods and durable solutions programming.
• Proven analytical and strategic planning skills;
• Excellent writing skills and ability to negotiate effectively between different stakeholders, and to represent DRC at high level forums;
• Extensive experience in representation and networking, in particular with Government authorities, EU, humanitarian and development actors;
• Good understanding of the Localization Agenda in Somalia and Somaliland.
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems
• Hands on experience in managing staff in insecure and remote locations with strong human resource management skills in general.
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts
• Demonstrated experience in donor contacting, fundraising and networking
• Fluent and articulate in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential

Desirable

• A good understanding and experience of context in Somalia is an added advantage
• Arabic and/or Somali languages beneficial

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 1-year renewable subject to Performance and Funding
Level: Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates available at drc.ngo under Vacancies graded as Band M.E level 1. For qualified Somali nationals the terms of employment will be in accordance with DRC terms for National staff in Somalia.
Designation of Duty Station: Mogadishu l Non-family Duty Station
Start date: 1 September 2020

Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html). All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics